Letters of Interpretation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Letters of Interpretation

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

These letters of interpretation and the standards they address may not apply to OSHA State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or additional requirements. Please see OSHA-approved State Plans for more information.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Date	Title	Standard Number
06/11/1997	Appropriateness of computer-based interactive training programs to satisfy required OSHA training.	1910.1030
06/10/1997	OSHA regulation on "piped" potable water supply.	1910.141, 1928.110
06/05/1997	OSHA's Methylene Chloride Standard	1910.1052
05/29/1997	A hazardous chemical is any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health standard.	1910.132, 1910.1200
05/29/1997	Mushroom Style Plastic Rebar Covers Used For Impalement Protection.	1926.701
05/29/1997	Using 1992 data to "program" inspections.	1960 - Table of Contents
05/28/1997	Reporting over-the-road fatalities; Refusing entry and employee interviews to an OSHA inspector; and OSHA's policy associated with seat belts on forklift trucks	1903.10, 1903.3, 1903.4
05/25/1997	Team on Erection of Telecommunication Towers.	1926 Subpart M
05/19/1997	Fall protection for employees climbing or moving on preassembled reinforcing steel assemblies.	1926.501
05/16/1997	1910.119 does not apply to public displays of flame effects.	1910.119
05/16/1997	OSHA's enforcement policy to protect workers against glutaraldehyde exposure.
05/15/1997	Permissible Exposure Limits for Nuisance dust.	1910 - Table of Contents, 1910.134, 1910.1000
05/15/1997	Glove bag methods for control of exposure to airborne asbestos.	1926.1101
05/15/1997	Clarification of the definition of a hazardous chemical and the requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets.	1910.1200
05/15/1997	Requirements for labeling portable fire extinguishers.	1910.1200
05/15/1997	OSHA's regulations for chemicals used in the workplace, and in particular, glutaraldehyde.	1910.1000, 1910.1200
05/12/1997	Coverage of Stored Flammables Under the Process Safety Management Standard.	1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(B), 1926.64(a)(1)(ii)(B), 1910.106
05/12/1997	Introduction of electrical welding equipment into a non-permit confined space.	1910.146, 1910.252, 1910.252(a)(4)(i), 1910.252(b)(4)(i), 1910.252(b)(4)(vii), 1910.252(c)(4), 1910.252(c)(9), 1910.252(c)(10), 1910 Subpart Q
05/12/1997	Electrical standards and the application to electrically-powered medical devices.	1910 Subpart S
05/08/1997	Federal agency injury/illness recordkeeping requirements for retired employees.	1960.67